“I take no side.  I am only a subordinate, you know; I do not count.”

“Do not attempt to deceive me.  Your influence over the mistress is great.  The confidence she has in you is a conclusive proof.  Important events are about to take place here.  Pierre has certainly returned to claim his right as betrothed, and Mademoiselle Micheline loves Prince Serge.  Out of this a serious conflict will take place in the house.  There will be a battle.  And as the parties in question are about equal in strength, I am seeking adherents for my candidate.  I own, in all humility, I am on love’s side.  The Prince is beloved by Mademoiselle Desvarennes, and I serve him.  Micheline will be grateful, and will do me a turn with Mademoiselle de Cernay.  As to you, let me give you a little advice.  If Madame Desvarennes consults you, speak well of Panine.  When the Prince is master here, your position will be all the better for it.”

Marechal had listened to Cayrol without anything betraying the impression his words created.  He looked at the banker in a peculiar manner, which caused him to feel uncomfortable, and made him lower his eyes.

“Perhaps you do not know, Monsieur Cayrol,” said the secretary, after a moment’s pause, “how I entered this firm.  It is as well in that case to inform you.  Four years ago, I was most wretched.  After having sought fortune ten times without success, I felt myself giving way morally and physically.  There are some beings gifted with energy, who can surmount all the difficulties of life.  You are one of those.  As for me, the struggle exhausted my strength, and I came to grief.  It would take too long to enumerate all the ways of earning my living I tried.  Few even fed me; and I was thinking of putting an end to my miserable existence when I met Pierre.  We had been at college together.  I went toward him; he was on the quay.  I dared to stop him.  At first he did not recognize me, I was so haggard, so wretched-looking!  But when I spoke, he cried, ‘Marechal!’ and, without blushing at my tatters, put his arms round my neck.  We were opposite the Belle Jardiniere, the clothiers; he wanted to rig me out.  I remember as if it were but yesterday I said, ’No, nothing, only find me work!’—­’Work, my poor fellow,’ he answered, ’but just look at yourself; who would have confidence to give you any?  You look like a tramp, and when you accosted me a little while ago, I asked myself if you were not about to steal my watch!’ And he laughed gayly, happy at having found me again, and thinking that he might be of use to me.  Seeing that I would not go into the shop, he took off his overcoat, and put it on my back to cover my tattered clothes, and there and then he took me to Madame Desvarennes.  Two days later I entered the office.  You see the position I hold, and I owe it to Pierre.  He has been more than a friend to me—­a brother.  Come! after that, tell me what you would think of me if I did what you have just asked me?”